61% of emerging DJs feel “social media numbers matter more than musical skill”

A new survey conducted by the Pete Tong DJ Academy has shared its findings during a talk conducted by CEO Alex Tripi at the International Music Summit (IMS) in Ibiza today, April 23.

The survey was put to 15,000 DJs and producers who use the Pete Tong DJ Academy, with findings indicating concerns around the accessibility of the industry for new artists and the dominance of social media within dance music.

It found that 62% of emerging DJs and producers surveyed believe “the electronic music industry is a closed club”, while 61% expressed the view that “I feel today social media numbers matter more than musical skill.”

Read this next: How Instagram has changed DJ culture

One 24-year-old DJ-producer from France stated: “Every [social media] post feels like a test. If it flops I feel like a failure.”

35% of respondents felt more positive about their chances, saying they feel that “if you persist and have resilience, it will happen”, in reference to breaking into the industry and building a career.

Other questions explored mental health in the industry with 52% of respondents saying they have experienced anxiety or burnout, while 31% have thought about quitting music altogether within the last year.

Read this next: Social media is dangerously affecting DJs’ mental health

IMS is taking place across April 23 to 25 with this year’s theme based around ‘Intergenerational Exchange’.

Other topics explored will include the impact of tinnitus on music industry professionals, 40 years of jungle and drum ‘n’ bass, and dispelling elitism in dance music.

Check the full schedule of IMS Ibiza 2025 here.

Patrick Hinton is Mixmag’s Editor & Digital Director, follow him on Twitter